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samahlWorld Background:
The world Cyril comes from in a modern!AU still has some magic and magical beings such as elves, werewolves, etc. The magical creatures are vastly outnumbered by humans. History says that thousands and thousands of years ago, magic ruled and magical beings had vast civilizations that spanned the world but humanity slowly took over through their overwhelming numbers and more advanced technology. Magic began to dwindle from the world for mostly unknown reasons, leaving many of the communities that relied on it in tatters - elves being the most notable.
Now, many elves have integrated into human society though there are still pockets who live in clumps of communities that try to stick to the old ways - ie, living in harmony with nature rather than trying to conquer it. Despite their ongoing fight for sovereignty, these communities are subject to harsh laws and even harsher policing. Because of this, they face things like having their children taken away and shoved into a foster care system or being tossed in the prison system themselves for minor offenses.
Even the elves who attempt to reside in human society face a high level of discrimination. Society tends to think of them as "less advanced" than humans and therefore tends to think of them as less intelligent or "air-headed." While they are, in general, considered "pretty" and "graceful" they are treated as if they aren't more than that. They are often treated a pretty little dolls who can't think for themselves. Even well meaning humans tend to think of elves as unable to take care of themselves without human intervention. They think things like if left on their own elves might accidentally electrocute themselves when using a toaster. Other magical creatures also tend to face their own stereotypes such as "werewolves are brutish and will literally bite your head off over minor arguments." The stereotypes for elves tend to mean that they have trouble getting high level employment and aren't taken seriously by their human peers. They are often talked down to and condescended to. If they do show a high level of intelligence they are treated with suspicion - accusations of plagiarism or cheating run rampant in schools that teach elves along side humans.
Elves also have higher chance of being able to access their latent magic. While magic is dwindling from the world it hasn't completely disappeared and magic users occasionally appear across all races. They are, in general, mistrusted because magic can be destructive and can't easily be studied (most attempts to experiment on it have literally blown up in the scientists faces). Elves have a higher percentage of their population as magic users and even those who don't have the ability to actively use magic still have some innate abilities (described above) and are therefore mistrusted for that reason too.
The world has a lot of political unrest has magical beings have started to be more vocal of fighting for their rights and to be seen as complete people, rather than stereotypes. Humans still have a lot of political power though, and the fight is an uphill battle.
Personal History:
Cyril's mother was a drug addict who lived in one of the pockets of elven community. His father was never around. When his mother's addiction was discovered the human-run government stepped in and took him away. He was six years old at the time. He then grew up in an elf-run group home in a human city similar to a mid-sized American city (think: Portland OR). The home was part of a modern effort from elf rights activists who believed that elves should be raised by other elves to cater to their unique needs. Though Cyril's home was closely monitored by human social workers and government agents, he grew up there surrounded by his own kind.
There was one time that he thought he might be adopted, when he was around ten, but during one of the meetings with the family he got some weird vibes from the potential father's brother and sabotaged the process. It turned out the man was an elf fetishist so while that probably was a good choice for him, it tainted the whole idea of adoption for him so he never left the group home. Instead, he took on the role of an "older brother" to some of the younger children who lived there and helped out the matron of the home by doing house work and providing after-school tutoring to the others when he could spare the time. He also had to manage participating in a robotics club at school and in track and field as a sport. All of this meant that had very, very little free time.
Cyril excelled at school but had a lot of trouble because of teachers and peers who treated him more harshly than other students based on the shape of his ears. Despite that, and his lack of free time, he still managed to get top marks in most subjects. He was much more impressive in science and math and had trouble with more 'touchy-feely' subjects like literature. He still maintained a high grade average though as he attempted to be well rounded in his studies. He was inquisitive, had a creative mind, and was involved with after school activities. He was basically on the path to become valedictorian for his senior class but when the school realized than an elf would take this spot, he was pressured by some of the school officials to accept a co-valedictorian spot with a human girl.
Angered by this, he decided instead to leave and transfer to another academy. He is at Mythian Academy to finish his last year at school and perhaps come into his own around people who won't look down at him because he isn't human.
The world Cyril comes from in a modern!AU still has some magic and magical beings such as elves, werewolves, etc. The magical creatures are vastly outnumbered by humans. History says that thousands and thousands of years ago, magic ruled and magical beings had vast civilizations that spanned the world but humanity slowly took over through their overwhelming numbers and more advanced technology. Magic began to dwindle from the world for mostly unknown reasons, leaving many of the communities that relied on it in tatters - elves being the most notable.
Now, many elves have integrated into human society though there are still pockets who live in clumps of communities that try to stick to the old ways - ie, living in harmony with nature rather than trying to conquer it. Despite their ongoing fight for sovereignty, these communities are subject to harsh laws and even harsher policing. Because of this, they face things like having their children taken away and shoved into a foster care system or being tossed in the prison system themselves for minor offenses.
Even the elves who attempt to reside in human society face a high level of discrimination. Society tends to think of them as "less advanced" than humans and therefore tends to think of them as less intelligent or "air-headed." While they are, in general, considered "pretty" and "graceful" they are treated as if they aren't more than that. They are often treated a pretty little dolls who can't think for themselves. Even well meaning humans tend to think of elves as unable to take care of themselves without human intervention. They think things like if left on their own elves might accidentally electrocute themselves when using a toaster. Other magical creatures also tend to face their own stereotypes such as "werewolves are brutish and will literally bite your head off over minor arguments." The stereotypes for elves tend to mean that they have trouble getting high level employment and aren't taken seriously by their human peers. They are often talked down to and condescended to. If they do show a high level of intelligence they are treated with suspicion - accusations of plagiarism or cheating run rampant in schools that teach elves along side humans.
Elves also have higher chance of being able to access their latent magic. While magic is dwindling from the world it hasn't completely disappeared and magic users occasionally appear across all races. They are, in general, mistrusted because magic can be destructive and can't easily be studied (most attempts to experiment on it have literally blown up in the scientists faces). Elves have a higher percentage of their population as magic users and even those who don't have the ability to actively use magic still have some innate abilities (described above) and are therefore mistrusted for that reason too.
The world has a lot of political unrest has magical beings have started to be more vocal of fighting for their rights and to be seen as complete people, rather than stereotypes. Humans still have a lot of political power though, and the fight is an uphill battle.
Personal History:
Cyril's mother was a drug addict who lived in one of the pockets of elven community. His father was never around. When his mother's addiction was discovered the human-run government stepped in and took him away. He was six years old at the time. He then grew up in an elf-run group home in a human city similar to a mid-sized American city (think: Portland OR). The home was part of a modern effort from elf rights activists who believed that elves should be raised by other elves to cater to their unique needs. Though Cyril's home was closely monitored by human social workers and government agents, he grew up there surrounded by his own kind.
There was one time that he thought he might be adopted, when he was around ten, but during one of the meetings with the family he got some weird vibes from the potential father's brother and sabotaged the process. It turned out the man was an elf fetishist so while that probably was a good choice for him, it tainted the whole idea of adoption for him so he never left the group home. Instead, he took on the role of an "older brother" to some of the younger children who lived there and helped out the matron of the home by doing house work and providing after-school tutoring to the others when he could spare the time. He also had to manage participating in a robotics club at school and in track and field as a sport. All of this meant that had very, very little free time.
Cyril excelled at school but had a lot of trouble because of teachers and peers who treated him more harshly than other students based on the shape of his ears. Despite that, and his lack of free time, he still managed to get top marks in most subjects. He was much more impressive in science and math and had trouble with more 'touchy-feely' subjects like literature. He still maintained a high grade average though as he attempted to be well rounded in his studies. He was inquisitive, had a creative mind, and was involved with after school activities. He was basically on the path to become valedictorian for his senior class but when the school realized than an elf would take this spot, he was pressured by some of the school officials to accept a co-valedictorian spot with a human girl.
Angered by this, he decided instead to leave and transfer to another academy. He is at Mythian Academy to finish his last year at school and perhaps come into his own around people who won't look down at him because he isn't human.
